Acute Subdural Hematoma

The acute subdural hematoma is considered a neurosurgical emergency and, depending on its severity, requires surgical decompression by craniotomy. The cause of an acute subdural hematoma is usually injury to a bridging vein, followed by bleeding into the subdural space; this can be triggered even by minor trauma, such as a blow to the head. This condition is usually caused by trauma and typically manifests clinically with headache, decreased level of consciousness, and hemiparesis on the side contralateral to the hemorrhage. In contrast to the chronic subdural hematoma, the blood is coagulated in the acute phase and cannot be adequately evacuated via burr-hole trepanation, making a craniotomy necessary.

Imaging

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